Someone I know is struggling with Their faith. They are following the advise of those who are outside of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Their advise is to stop attending the church, take a few big steps back, and then listen to them. My friend has been following much of this advise and is struggling because of it. Their advise on taking a step back is by taking a step OUT. I have something to tell those who think stepping back means to take a step out.
When people take a step back while investigating anything, whether it be a project for school, or a big deal within a company, they take a step back in order to look at the big picture. Taking a step back does not mean take a step out. When an individual takes a step backwards they are still fully involved in the project they are working on, but instead of focusing on individual aspects of the project, they are focusing on the project in its entirety.
Moroni tells us to what it means to take a step back at the end of the Book of Mormon. When he does this he doesn't tell us to ignore everything we learned. He does not tell us to live contrary to what was taught. Instead he tells us
Moroni 10-3: Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how amerciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and bponder it in your chearts.
He tells us to look at the big picture! From the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things. He tells us to take a step back and look at what God has done for his children, and then ask God if the things we learned and read are true.
If any Christian attempts to tell us to take a step out, and call it taking a step back, they are misguided in what they themselves should know. Lets take a look at what the Bible teaches all Christianity. Actually let me rephrase that. This is what the Lord Jesus Christ teaches, which is found within the bible. At this point Christ is teaching in the temple. Those in attendance were wondering how he could know what he is teaching if he never went through any proper training to acquire the knowledge. In their hearts they assumed he was teaching them from what he himself was making up. So Christ responded to them; giving them a way to know that it wasn't just made up.
Johm 7:17 If any man will ado his bwill, he shall cknow of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.
To know if doctrine is of God, LIVE IT! You won't know by taking a step out. The only way to know is by taking a step IN. Searching and learning is good, but living and applying is the best way to learn. You can read about blessings until your eyes run dry, but until you live the commandment attached you will never understand the power of the blessing.
My friend has fallen prey to evil tactics. If you stop someone from learning what the church teaches, then it makes it easier for them to believe any lie about the church you can come up with. It makes it easier to teach a person a partial truth, with an evil twist.
So remember, taking a step back is good, as long as you remain engaged in what you are doing, and look at everything you know to be true. But taking a step out is a dangerous road, that is contrary to the teachings of Christ. There is no progression in knowledge by taking a step out.
I invite everyone to take a step into the church. Live the doctrines and principles you learn. And see for yourself how the blessings of God can improve your lives.
When people take a step back while investigating anything, whether it be a project for school, or a big deal within a company, they take a step back in order to look at the big picture. Taking a step back does not mean take a step out. When an individual takes a step backwards they are still fully involved in the project they are working on, but instead of focusing on individual aspects of the project, they are focusing on the project in its entirety.
Moroni tells us to what it means to take a step back at the end of the Book of Mormon. When he does this he doesn't tell us to ignore everything we learned. He does not tell us to live contrary to what was taught. Instead he tells us
Moroni 10-3: Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how amerciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and bponder it in your chearts.
He tells us to look at the big picture! From the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things. He tells us to take a step back and look at what God has done for his children, and then ask God if the things we learned and read are true.
If any Christian attempts to tell us to take a step out, and call it taking a step back, they are misguided in what they themselves should know. Lets take a look at what the Bible teaches all Christianity. Actually let me rephrase that. This is what the Lord Jesus Christ teaches, which is found within the bible. At this point Christ is teaching in the temple. Those in attendance were wondering how he could know what he is teaching if he never went through any proper training to acquire the knowledge. In their hearts they assumed he was teaching them from what he himself was making up. So Christ responded to them; giving them a way to know that it wasn't just made up.
Johm 7:17 If any man will ado his bwill, he shall cknow of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself.
To know if doctrine is of God, LIVE IT! You won't know by taking a step out. The only way to know is by taking a step IN. Searching and learning is good, but living and applying is the best way to learn. You can read about blessings until your eyes run dry, but until you live the commandment attached you will never understand the power of the blessing.
My friend has fallen prey to evil tactics. If you stop someone from learning what the church teaches, then it makes it easier for them to believe any lie about the church you can come up with. It makes it easier to teach a person a partial truth, with an evil twist.
So remember, taking a step back is good, as long as you remain engaged in what you are doing, and look at everything you know to be true. But taking a step out is a dangerous road, that is contrary to the teachings of Christ. There is no progression in knowledge by taking a step out.
I invite everyone to take a step into the church. Live the doctrines and principles you learn. And see for yourself how the blessings of God can improve your lives.
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